Apparatus for raising concrete forms



06L 8, 1935- I F. L NEMEC ET AL APPARATUS FOR RAISING CONCRETE FORMS Filed July 18, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS FRANK L. NEMEO JAMES PATTERSON y [/3 62.4 Mam ATTORNEY$ Oct. 8, 1935. F, NEME H 2,016,575

APPARATUS FOR RAISING CONCRETE FORMS Filed "July 18, 1952 '5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I'NVENTORS FHANKLJVEMEC JAMES PATTER5ON ATTORNEYS 0d. 8, 1935. NEMEC 2,016,575

APPARATUS FOR RAISING CONCRETE FORMS Filed July 18, 1932 3 SheehSSheet 5 rm I ,Lflr/rr/pflrr/lIr r!!! rlrrx/rr III IrIIIIlflIII/IIIIIII [III INVENTORS n E FRANK L..NzM:c

3 2 JAMES PATTERSON Patented Oct. 8, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Frank L. Nemec, Hopkins, and James Patterson,

White Bear, Minn, as structicn Company, Minn, a corporation of Application July 18, 19

16 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in apparatus for raising slip forms of the general character commonly employed in the construction of such structures as concrete grain tanks and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for raising concrete forms, which apparatus comprises a plurality of power-operated jacks adapted to be secured to the movable concrete form and having a connection with a fixed member or column and all of said jacks being so connected together that they may be operated simultaneously by the manipulation of a single control means.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for raising concrete forms, and comprising a plurality of jacks adapted to be operated by a suitable pressure fluid such as compressed air, supplied thereto from a common source, and a suitable control valve being provided for each jack whereby the jacks may be operated independently of one another to level the form, and a master control valve also being provided whereby all of the jacks may be operated simultaneously to raise the entire form.

Other objects reside in the simple and inexpensive construction of the novel jack employed; in the unique construction and arrangement of the cross head of the jack, which supports a pair of cooperating jaws adapted to grip an upright fixed rod or column secured in the concrete, and having a cable connecting it with the winding mechanism of the jack; in the construction of the winding mechanism provided at the upper end of each jack; in the means provided in the jack frame for guiding and supporting the fixed rod or column; in the particular arrangement of the cable which connects the winding mechanism with the cross head and whereby the tension in the cable is equalized; in the fluid operated means provided for operating the winding mechanism of the jack; and, in the novel arrangement of the control means whereby the jacks may be operated independently of one another, and also whereby all of the jacks may be operated simultaneously to raise the form by the simple manipulation of a single control valve.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings, there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to signers to Fegles Con- Limited, Minneapolis, Canada 32, Serial No. 623,100

the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of our improved 5 jack showing it operatively engaged with the Walls of a suitable form;

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 3, showing the means provided for operating the winding mechanism, 10 and also the cross head slidably engaged with the stationary reinforcing rod;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, showing the arrangement of the sheaves on the cross-head and 15 on the jack frame, and also showing the dual drums of the winding mechanism Figure 4 is a sectional plan view on the line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view on the line 0 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view on the line 6--6 of Figure 3;

Figure '7 is an enlarged detail sectional View showing one of the control valves; and

Figure 8 is a view diagrammatically illustrating a plurality of lifting jacks connected together and adapted for simultaneous operation by the manipulation of a single control means, and also indicating means for independently controlling the operation of each jack.

The novel form raising apparatus featured in this invention comprises a plurality of jacks, all of which are operatively connected together and provided with a single master control, whereby all of the jacks may be operated simultaneously to raise the entire form or mold to which they are connected. As all of the jacks employed in the construction of this novel apparatus are of like construction, but one such jack will be described in detail.

As shown in Figure 1, the jack comprises a frame, here shown constructed of suitable channel irons 2, preferably facing outwardly, and 45 forming spaced legs having their intermediate portions secured together by a suitable cross channel 3 and gusset plates 4. The upper ends of the legs 2 are inclined inwardly and are secured together by a suitable head 5 which pro- 50 vides a support for the operating mechanism of the jack, which will subsequently be described. The lower portions of the legs 2 are adapted to be secured to the side walls 8 of the form by means of a plurality of angle brackets 5 and blocks 7,

the latter being secured to the side walls 8 of the form.

The operating mechanism of the jack is shown comprising a pair of flanged winding drums 9 secured to the ends of a short shaft-i I, here shown integrally formed with the drums, and supported in suitable bearings i2 provided in the upper portions of a pair of plates !3, secured together in spaced relation by means of a suitable spacing member or channel id and a cross member i 5. The channel i4 is rigidly secured to the head 5 by means of rods it, the upper ends of which are threaded and received in suitable apertures provided in the head ii and in the channel i4. Nuts ii secure the parts together as will readily be understood by reference to Figure 2. The lower ends of the rods is are similarly secured to the cross channel 3 provided at the intermediate portion of the jack frame.

A suitable ratchet wheel I8 is secured to the shaft ii between the bearings i2, and is adapted to be engaged by a pawl Iii pivotally mounted between a pair of arms 2!, each having one end supported upon the shaft I i, as shown in Figure 5. The opposite ends of the arms 2! are pivotally connected to a piston rod 22, having a suitable piston 23 secured thereto and operable within a cylinder 24. The upper end of the cylinder 24 is shown provided with a reduced portion 25 adapted to receive a suitable compression spring 26, one end of which is seated against the upper end of the piston 23 and its other and against the upper wall 271 of the reduced portion 25 of the piston. A suitable aperture 28 is provided in the upper wall 27 to permit air to circulate freely in and out of the upper end of the cylinder when the piston is operated.

The piston is suspended between the end portions 29 of the plates id, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. To thus support the cylinder, suitable outwardly projecting lugs 3i may be provided upon the upper reduced portion 25 of the cylinder, adapted to be received in suitable notches 32 provided in the upper edges of the plate portions 29. When the piston 23 is operated within the cylinder, an oscillatory movement will be 1mparted to the arms 2!, whereby the pawl i9 will engage and rotate the ratchet wheel 88 and thereby impart a similar movement to the winding drums 9. A suitable dog 33, provided with a weight 34, is pivotally mounted on a pin 36, supported in the channel id and the plates 53. The weight 3 3 normally holds the dog 33 in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel i8, whereby said wheel will be locked against movement in one direction, as will readily be understood by reference to Figure 2.

In order to operate the jack, a fixed support is provided as, for example, a rod or column 36, having its lower portion embedded in the concrete of the wall and extending upwardly therefrom as shown in Figures 1 and 2. A cross head is slidably mounted upon the rods it of the ack frame. and adapted for vertical movement thereon. This cross head is apertured to receive the rod or column 36, as shown in Figure 2. The column 3% is guided in the upper portion of the jack frame by means of a suitable guide 46, secured in the cross member i 5, and a lower portion thereof is guided an aperture 59, provided in the cross channel 3.

To secure the cross head 35 to the column 36, the cross head is provided with a pair of movable jaws have convexed end portions which are seated in correspondingly shaped seats provided in the cross head, as best shown in Figure 2. Screws 39 are shown secured to the cross head and depend therefrom, through suitable apertures provided in thejaws 38. Springs 4| are coiled about the screws 39 and are retained thereon by 5 suitable nuts 42 received in threaded engagement with the terminals of the screws. The springs 4| constantly urge the jaws 38 into gripping engagement with the column 36. The gripping faces of the jaws 3% are preferably concaved and have 10 suitable teeth adapted to engage and grip the column 36 so as to prevent the cross head from slipping downwardly thereon when the Jack is operated.

A suitable cable 43 has its end portions coiled 16 about and secured to the drums 9, as shown in Figure 3, and from these drums, the cable extends downwardly around a pair of sheaves 44, secured to the cross channel 3 of the jack frame, thence upwardly around another pair of sheaves 45 20 mountedupon the cross head 35, and thence downwardly into engagement with an equalizer sheave as, also secured to the cross channel 3 of the jack frame. By thus threading the cable around the sheaves M, 45,.and :16, the strains im- 26 parted to the various runs of the cable, when the jack is operated, will be equalized. Because of the cross head 35 being secured against downward movement upon the column 36, when the drums 9 are rotated, the ends of the cable will be wound 30 thereon with the result that the jack frame and the form will be elevated relatively to the column 36.

The pistons 23 are adapted to be operated by a suitable pressure fluid as, for example, com- 35 pressed air, and each cylinder is therefore shown having a flexible pipe or hose connection 4'! connecting the bottom wall or head 48 thereof with a main supply pipe 5 i, as diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 8. A suitable control valve 49 is 40 interposed in each pipe connection 4? whereby the supply of air to each cylinder may be independently controlled.

Compressed airmay be supplied to the main supply pipe 5i from a suitable storage tank 55 by 45 means of pipes 52 and 54, and a master control valve 53. Air is supplied to the tank 55 from a suitable compressor 55 connected thereto by a pipe 57 provided with a suitable check valve 58. The main supply pipe 56 is preferably located adjacent to the cylinders 2d and may be carried by the usual deck provided upon the movable concrete forms. The storage tank and compressor 55 may also be carried upon the forms, or they may be located upon the ground adjacent 55 to the structure and connected with the main supply pipe 5! by means of a flexible hose connection. The master control valve 53 is located upon the usual deck of the form so that the operator may conveniently observe the operations of the 60 jacks.

The master control valve 5-3 may be of ordinary construction, and may comprise a suitable casing having an intake 59 to which the pipe 54 is connected, and also having a discharge opening 6! to which the pipe 52 is connected. The valve casing is also shown having an exhaust port 62 which is open to the atmosphere. A rotor 63 is shown mounted in the valve casing and has a passage 64 adapted to be moved into registration with the intake and outlet pipes 59 and SI, whereby air is supplied to the pipe 5i from the tank 55. When the rotor 63 is operated so as to move the port 56 into registration with the dis charge opening El and the exhaust 62, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 7, the air in the pipe 5| and cylinders 24 will be released to the atmosphere, through the exhaust port 62, where upon the pistons may return to their normal lowered positions by the actions of the springs 26 or by gravity.

In the operation of this novel form raising apparatus, the side walls 8 of the form are set up in the usual manner with the rods or columns 36 positioned therein in spaced relation. The lower end portions of these columns will become embedded in the concrete which is poured into the form, as shown in Figure 1, whereby the columns will be supported in upright positions. When the concrete initially poured into the form is set sufficiently to permit the form to be raised with respect thereto, the jacks are attached to the side walls of the forms as shown in Figure 1, with the columns 36 extending upwardly through the guides and 40 of the jacks, as shown in Figure 2, and also through the openings provided in the cross heads 35, as hereinbefore stated. The cross heads of the jacks are then moved upwardly upon their respective columns 36 to the positions shown in Figures 1 and 2, after which the slack in the various cables of the Winding mechanisms is taken up by manually rotating the drums 9. The cylinders 24 of the jacks are then connected to the main supply pipe 5| by means of the connections 41, whereby the entire apparatus is ready for use.

The master control valve 53 may then be opened to permit compressed air to enter the supply pipe 5| from the storage tank 55, whereupon all of the pistons will be simultaneously moved upwardly against the tensions of the springs 25, it being understood that the independent control valves 49 of the cylinders have previously been actuated to connect the cylinders with the main supply pipe 5|. Such upward movement of the pistons will cause the arms 2! to be oscillated, whereupon the pawls l9 will engage and actuate the ratchet wheels of the jacks to thereby rotate the drums 9 and cause the cables to be wound thereon. The travel of each piston is preferably such that when the pistons move from their lower to their uppermost positions, the pawls I9 will rotate the ratchet wheels a fraction of a revolution which may be equal to the length of one tooth. It will thus be noted that each time the master control valve 53 is opened to the supply pipe 54, all of the pistons will be actuated to operate their respective winding mechanisms, whereby the jack frames carrying the sliding form will be moved upwardly with respect to the stationary columns 36. It will also be noted that by the simple manipulation of the master control valve 53, a series of impulses may be imparted to the pistons, whereby the jack frames may be gradually moved upwardly upon the columns 36 by a step-by-step motion.

The cross heads 35 travel upon the guide rods l6 between the guides 40 and Bil, as will be clearly understood by reference to Figure 2. When the jack frames have been elevated with respect to the cross heads 35 so that the latter are positioned as indicated in dotted lines in Figure '2, the entire apparatus will be temporarily interrupted to permt the cross heads to be elevated upon the guide rods IE to the position shown in Figure 2. This is preferably done by manual labor and requires very little time. When the cross heads are thus moved upwardly upon the rods, the dogs 33 and pawls IQ of the winding mechanisms, are moved out of engagement with their respective ratchet wheels, so that the winding drums may be rotated to unwind the cables as will be understood by reference to Figure 2. The independent control valves 59 of the cylinders normally remain open to the main supply 5 pipe 5! so that each cylinder receives a common impulse when the master control valve is opened. It becomes necessary at times to operate the jacks independently of one another to effect a general leveling up of the forms, or for some other purpose, and this may readily be accom plished by means of the independent control valves 49, which are so constructed that when the supply pipe 5| is under pressure, and the independent control valve 49 of one of the cylinders is operated, the cylinder associated with said selected valve will receive an impulse to operate its winding mechanism. If one impulse is not sufiicient to levelthe form at this particualr point, then said selected control valve 49 is again operated, first to release the air from the cylinder 24, and then to again connect the cyl inder with the main supply pipe 5|. It will thus be noted that by means of the valves 49, any one or more of the jacks may be operated independ ently of the others, whereby the entire form may readily be leveled so that the upper edges thereof will be substantially horizontally disposed.

By interconnecting the jacks as above described, a single operator may readily and accurately control the operation of all of the jacks of the apparatus. When once all of the jacks have been adjusted with respect to one another, the operator may conveniently raise the form by the simple manipulation of the master control 35 valve 53, and he will be assured that all of the jacks will raise the form an equal distance for each impulse, so that the form will always be maintained substantially level. By the employment of the novel form raising apparatus herein 40 disclosed, the cost of erecting a wall may be greatly decreased because of the saving in labor, and because of the fact that the form may be quickly and uniformly raised by the action of the pistons and winding mechanisms of the jacks.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a jack for raising concrete forms, a frame adapted to be secured to the walls of the form, a column supported in the concrete in said form and extending upwardly through the upper portion of said frame, a member slidably mounted in said frame and comprising cooperating jaws adapted to grip said column and secure the member thereto against movement in one direction, a winding mechanism supported on said frame and 55 having a flexible element connecting it with said member, and means for actuating said winding mechanism to vertically move said frame with respect to said column.

2. In a jack for raising concrete forms, a frame 60 adapted to be secured to the walls of the form, a column supported in the concrete in said form and extending upwardly through a suitable guide provided in the upper portion of said frame, a member slidably mounted in said frame and comprising cooperating jaws adapted to grip said column and secure the member thereto against movement in one direction, a winding mechanism supported on said frame and having a flexible element connecting it with said member, and means for intermittently actuating said winding mechanism to vertically move said frame with respect to saidcolumn.

3. In a jack for raising concrete forms, a frame having means for securing it to the walls of the 7 form, a column supported in the concrete in said form and extending upwardly through a guide provided in the upper portion of said frame, vertical guides in the frame, a cross head mounted for sliding movement on said guides, cooperating jaws on said cross head positioned to engage said column and secure the cross head thereto against relative movement in one direction, a winding mechanism supported on said frame and having a. flexible element, said element being connected with said cross head and having a running connection with av portion of the frame, and means for operating said winding mechanism to vertically adjust the frame upon said column,

4. In a jack for raising concrete forms, a frame having means for securing it to the walls of the form, a rod secured in the concrew supported in said form and extending upwardly through said frame, vertical guides in the frame, a cross head mounted for sliding movement on said guides, cooperating jaws on said cross head positioned to engage said rod and secure the cross head thereto against relative movement in one direction, a winding mechanism supported on said frame and having a flexible element, said element being connected with said cross head and having a running connection with a portion of the frame, and fluid-actuated means for operating said winding mechanism to vertically adjust the frame upon said rod.

5. In a jack for raising concrete forms, an upright frame having means for securing the lower portion thereof to the walls of a form, a supporting rod embedded in the concrete supported in said form and extending upwardly therefrom, means guidingly supporting said rod in said frame, vertical guides in the frame, a cross head mounted for sliding movement on said guides and having an aperture receiving said supporting rod, cooperating jaws on the cross head adapted to engage and secure said cross head against downward movement upon said rod, a winding mechanism provided with a cable, said cable having a running connection with a lower portion of the frame, and also having a running connection with said cross head, and means for intermittently operating said winding mechanism whereby said frame will be vertically moved with respect to said rod.

6. In a lifting jack, an upright frame having means for securing it to a member to be elevated, a fixed supporting rod extending upwardly throughsaid frame, vertical guides in the frame, a cross head mounted for sliding movement on said guides and having an aperture traversed by said supporting rod, cooperating jaws on the cross head adapted to engage and secure said cross head against downward movement upon said rod, a winding mechanism provided with a cable, said cable having a running connection with a lower portion of the frame and also having a running connection with said cross head, and fluid actuated means for intermittently operating said winding mechanism whereby said frame will be vertically moved with respect to said rod.

7. In a jack for raising concrete forms, a frame having means at its lower portion for securing it to the walls of a form, a supporting rod secured in the concrete supported in said form and extending upwardly therefrom, a tubular guide member in the upper portion of said frame adapted to receive and guide said rod therein, spaced guides in said frame, a cross head slidably mounted on said guides, cooperating jaws on said cross head adapted to engage said rod and secure the cross head thereto against movement in a downward direction, a winding mechanism supported on said frame and comprising a pair of winding drums, a cable whose ends are secured to said drums, said cable leading from said drums and 6 engaging suitable sheaves provided at the lower ends of said guides, and also engaging a pair of sheaves provided upon said cross head, and a ratchet device for intermittently operating said winding drums to wind the cable thereon, where- 10 by the frame and the walls of the form may be vertically adjusted upon said rod.

8. In an apparatus for raising concrete forms, a frame adapted to be secured to the form and comprising vertically spaced guides adapted to 15 slidably receive a supporting column embedded in the concrete in the form, a gripping device movable between said guides and adapted to grip said column, an operating mechanism supported on the frame and having running connections with said gripping device, and means for actuating said operating mechanism whereby said frame may be elevated in a step-by-step motion without imparting movement to said gripping device relatively to said column. 7 25 9. In an apparatus for raising concrete forms, a jack comprising a frame adapted to be secured to the form and comprising vertically spaced guides adapted to receive an upright supporting column embedded in the concrete in the form, a. gripping device movable vertically in said frame between said guides and adapted to grip said column, an operating mechanism mounted on said frame and having an operative connection with said gripping device, and fluid-operated means for intermittently actuating said operating mechanism whereby the jack frame is elevated to raise the form without relatively moving said gripping device upon said column.

10. In an apparatus for raising concrete forms, a. jack comprising a frame adapted to be secured to the form and having vertically spaced guides adapted to receive a supporting column embedded in the concrete in the form, a cross-head slidably mounted in said frame between said guides and having means adapted to grip said column, an operating mechanism, a flexible element secured to said operating mechanism and having a running connection with means on the jack frame and also with means on said cross-head, and means for intermittently actuating said operating means whereby said flexible element will cause the jack frame and form to be elevated relatively to said cross head and column.

11. In an apparatus for raising concrete forms, a frame secured to the form, a fixed supporting column extending upwardly from the form and having a connection with the upper end of said frame, a gripping device slidable on said column and adapted to grip the same, an operating mechanism on the frame, and flexible means operatively connecting said gripping device to said operating mechanism, whereby when the latter is operated, the frame is vertically moved with respect to said gripping device.

12. In an apparatus for raising concrete forms, a frame secured to the form, a fixed supporting column extending upwardly from the form and having a movable connection with the upper end connecting said gripping device to said operating 15 mechanism, and a remote control for said operating mechanism.

13. In a jack, a frame adapted to be secured to a member to be elevated, a relatively fixed column operatively associated with the upper end of said frame, a gripping device slidable on said column and adapted to grip the latter, means guidingly supporting said gripping device in said frame, an operatng mechanism, flexible means operatively connecting said gripping device to said operating mechanism, and means for controlling the operation of the operating mechanism to thereby move the frame with respect to said gripping device.

14. In a jack, a frame adapted to be secured to a member to be elevated, a column supported in fixed relation to said frame and operatively associated with the upper end thereof, a gripping device slidable on said column and adapted to be manually positioned thereon, means guidingly supporting said gripping device in said frame, an operating mechanism on the frame, flexible elements operatively connecting said gripping device to said operating mechanism, and means remote from said operating mechanism for controlling the operation of the operating mechanism to thereby move the frame with respect to said gripping device.

15. In a jack, a frame adapted to be secured to a member to be elevated, a column supported in fixed relation to said frame and operatively connected with the upper end thereof, a gripping device movable on said column, guide rods on the frame upon which said gripping device is slidably supported, an operating mechanism on the frame, means operatively connected to said gripping device and to said operating mechanism and having a running connection with said frame, and means remote from said jack for controlling the operation of said operating mechanism, operation of the latter causing the frame to be moved with respect to said gripping device.

16. In a jack system for raising concrete forms, a plurality of jacks, each comprising a frame having a fluid-actuated operating mechanism mounted thereon, and a gripping device, said frames being adapted to be secured to the form in spaced relation along the length thereof, a supporting column for each jack upon which said gripping devices are movable, said columns having their lower ends secured in the concrete in the form, said fluid-actuated operating mechanisms having operative connections with their complemental gripping devices, whereby when operated, the jack frames and the form walls to which they are secured, are elevated with respect to the columns, a pressure fluid supply pipe conmon to all of said jacks, an independent control device for each jack, and a master control whereby all of said jacks may be operated simultaneously to elevate the entire form, said independent controls providing means whereby said jacks may be operated independently of one another, when necessary, thereby to maintain the form level.

FRANK L. NEMEC. JAMES PATTERSON. 

